How Lottery Second-Chance Drawings Work
A non-winning scratch-off isn't always worthless. Most state lotteries run second-chance drawings — a separate pool where your losing tickets get another shot at prizes, at no extra cost. Here's how they work and when they're worth the effort.
The basic idea
Eligible tickets carry a code (usually under the scratch material or on the back). You register that code in the lottery's app or website, and it becomes an entry in periodic drawings for cash, merchandise, vehicles, or trips. Because you already paid for the ticket, every second-chance entry is additional value for free.
Are they worth doing?
In pure expected-value terms, yes — you're adding chances at zero marginal cost. The only price is a few minutes: creating a free account and typing in codes. If you buy scratch-offs anyway, entering your losers is one of the rare "free money" moves in the whole category. The odds are still long, but long odds at no cost beat throwing the ticket away.
A few practical tips
- Enter before the deadline — codes expire, often when the game closes.
- Keep the physical ticket until the drawing passes; winners usually must produce it.
- Check whether winning tickets are also eligible — some programs let you enter those too.
- Don't buy tickets for the second chance; treat it as a bonus on tickets you'd buy anyway.
Second-chance drawings are separate from the main game's odds, so they don't change which scratch-off is worth buying up front. For that, use the Heat Score rankings to pick games that still have prizes to win in the first place.
Free extra chances are nice, but the lottery still has a house edge overall. Play within your budget. 18+ (21+ in some states) · 1-800-GAMBLER.
Frequently asked questions
＋ － What is a lottery second-chance drawing?
It's a separate drawing where you enter non-winning (or sometimes winning) scratch-off and draw tickets for another shot at prizes. You register the ticket's code through the state lottery's site or app, and entries are drawn periodically for cash, merchandise, or experiences.
＋ － Are second-chance drawings worth it?
They cost nothing extra beyond a ticket you already bought, so the expected value is only positive — you're getting additional chances at no added cost. The catch is effort: you have to create an account and enter codes. If you already have losing tickets, entering them is close to free money in expectation.
＋ － How do I enter a second-chance drawing?
Create a free account on your state lottery's website or app, find the second-chance or 'players club' section, and enter the code printed on eligible tickets before the entry deadline. Keep the physical ticket until any drawing you've entered has passed.